Sokol lands first two BCS offers
A strong spring camp and combine season has led to the first two BCS offers for Rochester (Mich.) Adams tight end Matt Sokol. Both offers came within a span of four days.
"Illinois came in [Monday] and that was my second Big Ten offer," Sokol reported.
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The offer from the Illini followed one late last week from their Big Ten rivals, Michigan State.
"I was in East Lansing Friday and got a chance to meet with Coach [Mark] Dantonio," Sokol said. "We had a one-on-one conversation and that was a remarkable experience. Going in I wasn't expecting an offer. I was very surprised and excited about the opportunity to possibly be a Spartan."
The 6-foot-5, 226-pound Sokol was very familiar with Michigan State's program before the offer, and has them among his top teams with the offer.
"My family has been State fans for a long time. My grandma and two of my aunts have gone to State," Sokol said. "Michigan State is a school I have been highly considering for a long time and have been one of the top choices. It is so honoring and I am blessed to have an opportunity like that."
Despite landing the Michigan State offer only days before, and offers from several MAC programs prior to that, Sokol was not expecting an offer from Illinois on Monday.
"My head coach said since Michigan State offered things might speed up a little bit," Sokol said. "When Illinois came through I wasn't really sure, and I don't ever expect an offer from anybody. When they did [offer], it was very humbling."
Sokol has no other visits planned in the immediate future outside of a one-day camp stop at Michigan State in June, but he does not expect the recruiting process to go out too far into the summer.
"I was talking with my head coach and really shooting to make my position well before my senior year," he said. "I know I will make a decision in the upcoming weeks."
One reason why Sokol's recruitment took a little longer to start up than other prospects of his level is because he played quarterback as a junior. He expects to remain his team's quarterback as a senior, but said there could be plays for him to line up at tight end next fall.